Territorium

Territorium,is a reflection on the highly polarized debate surrounding agriculture, nitrogen emissions, and nature management in the Netherlands. I explored my native region, the Veluwe near Speuld, where farms sit on poor sandy soil amid heathlands, forests, and dunes. Here, the interests of livestock farmers collide with those of conservationists, foresters, climate experts, and recreational users.

The book, carefully edited and designed by Robin Uleman, features a dust jacket and contains 296 pages, with images interspersed with small text sections on lighter-weight paper. The texts are largely exact transcripts of the interviews I conducted with the various stakeholders. The people whose words appear in the book do not appear in the photographs; their statements represent broader ideas within this territory.

The project is structured as a multimedia visual narrative, bringing together multiple perspectives. I portray farmers, walkers, mountain bikers, shepherds, conservationists, scientists, and the Dutch military conducting training exercises in the area. Each group is given a platform to share their stories and concerns, creating a nuanced picture of the complexity involved. The images show the passage of time and the effects of change: from agricultural expansion and debt accumulation to nitrogen emissions, pollution, and declining biodiversity. Symbolic elements, such as an old oak tree, highlight time and the consequences of human actions.

This project was made possible by the RABO Bank Art Lab, where I served as Artist in Residence. The Lab provides artists with a space to explore societal issues and use art as a source of critical reflection and renewal. With this book, I aim to foster an open conversation, making different perspectives visible and discussable.